Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs over the ‘spygate’ scandal.
Middlesbrough have been reinstated after a bombshell verdict from an independent commission, which heard the case on Tuesday, and will now face Hull City in the play-off final in four days’ time on Saturday May 23.
In addition, Southampton have been handed a four-point deduction for next season.
According to the EFL, Southampton admitted “multiple breaches” relating to the unauthorised filming of their opponents training ahead of games.
“Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season.
“Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.
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Sky Sports’ Keith Downie explains how the alleged Southampton staff member was caught trying to observe a Middlesbrough training session
“Southampton admitted breaches of regulations requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.
“The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.
“The EFL is now in discussion with all three clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.”
Southampton were initially reported to the EFL by Middlesbrough when they alleged a Southampton staff member had spied on a training session on May 7 ahead of their play-off semi-final, in breach of league rules, with the EFL charging them the following day.
Sky Sports News understand that Southampton have already lodged their appeal to the commission’s findings and will be fighting the decision. The EFL has acknowledged that the appeal’s outcome “could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture”.
Boro ‘welcome’ Southampton’s expulsion
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have released a statement saying: “Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s disciplinary commission hearing.
“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct. As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday. Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly.”
‘Boro will feel fully justified in their stance’
Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
It’s an incredible turnaround for Middlesbrough, and they will feel vindicated after fighting hard to ensure their interests were represented. From their point of view, what Southampton did was completely against the rules and gave them an unfair advantage.
Middlesbrough’s owners and executives will feel fully justified in their stance. And, of course, it now looks very smart that the players didn’t go on holiday and instead returned to training, because they can now prepare for what is often described as the richest game in world football.
If you win it, you’re potentially looking at around £200m in revenue.
Spygate timeline: How did we get here?
May 7: Middlesbrough make formal complaint to the EFL alleging a Southampton member of staff spied on their training session three days before their Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
May 9: Boro boss Kim Hellberg accuses Southampton of cheating after the first leg ends in a 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium.
May 12: Southampton charged with a breach of EFL regulations in relation to the spying accusations. Southampton request additional time to conduct an internal review.
The play-off semi-final second leg is played at St Mary’s. Shea Charles’ extra-time winner earns Southampton a 2-1 victory and a place in the Championship play-off final.
Emotional Hellberg hits out at “disgraceful spying”, before Saints boss Tonda Eckert storms out of his press conference after being asked: “Are you a cheat?”
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Following their play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton, Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg shared a passionate answer on the alleged ‘spygate’ drama that surrounded the fixture
May 13: Photos allegedly showing the Southampton analyst near Middlesbrough’s training ground released publicly.
May 14: It is announced the independent hearing to determine Southampton’s fate will take place on or before Tuesday May 19. In a statement, the EFL say “the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture.”
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final second leg match between Southampton and Middlesbrough
May 15: Middlesbrough publicly call for Southampton’s expulsion from the play-offs. In a statement, they said: “In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final.”
May 18: Middlesbrough players return to training as the outcome of the independent disciplinary hearing nears.
